The hearing for Zia Orphanage Trust graft case continues

Counsel of accused businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed on Wednesday continued placing argument before the court in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

Earlier in the day, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia appeared before the court of Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of the Dhaka Special Judges Court-5 that was set up at makeshift court in the Bakshibazar around 11:30am to make her appearance in the case.

Advocate Ahsan Ullah placed his argument before the court in favour of businessman Sharfuddin Ahmed in the case that was left incomplete on Wednesday. The court adjourned the hearing till today for the placing of the rest of the argument by the defence lawyer.

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On Tuesday Khaleda Zia’s lawyers concluded the placing their arguments before court seeking acquittal claiming her involvement was not proven in the case.
Khaleda’s lawyers Abdur Rezak Khan, Khandaker Mahbub Hossain, AJ Mohammad Ali, Barrister Zamiruddin Sircar and Barrister Moudud Ahmed placed their arguments in favour of Khaleda during the ten days scheduled for their arguments in the case.
After the placing of defence arguments concludes on behalf of five more accused, the court will fix the date to deliver the verdict in case.
On December 19, 2017 the prosecution concluded placing argument seeking life imprisonment for BNP Chief Khaleda in the case.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case in 2008 against six people, including Khaleda and her eldest son Tarique Rahman, for allegedly misusing Tk2.1 crore from the funds of the Zia Orphanage Trust.
In addition, in 2011, the ACC accused the BNP chief and three others of misappropriating Tk3.15 crore from the Zia Charitable Trust Fund.